Past/Present: Masao Okabe's Japanese Pavilion at the 52nd Venice Biennale

Jeffrey Ian Rosen

Commissioner Chihiro Minato's choice, artist Masao Okabe's Japanese Pavilion for the 52nd Venice Biennale consists of framed reproductions of frottages (pencil-rub drawings) executed over the course of nine years on the platform of Hiroshima's Ujina Station. The frottages are presented alongside film negatives as well as a 16-meter long row of stones from the station. From these stones, frottages will be created during pencil-rubbing workshops to be conducted by Okabe with visitors to the pavilion throughout the course of the Biennale. In this way, Okabe hopes to activate the memory of visitors to the Japanese Pavilion. more...

"Chocolate" Directed by Naoto Fukasawa at 21_21 Design Sight

Tom Vincent

21_21 Design Sight, which opened in Roppongi this spring, is led by Issey Miyake, in a building designed by Tadao Ando. I was a member of the communication design team throughout 2006, while 21_21 was preparing to open. Additionally, Naoto Fukasawa asked me if I would also take part in the first large exhibition, "Chocolate". It turned out to be a year that threw up many more questions than there were answers for, and took us on an adventure from print-club machines at the top of Tokyo Tower, to cocoa farmers in war-ridden Cote d'Ivoire. more...